Police release sketch of suspect in Cal State Fullerton stabbing death

Authorities says suspect fled in BMW

By Sarah Moon, Margaret Shuttleworth and Ray Sanchez, CNN

Posted: 12:49 AM, August 21, 2019Updated: 12:49 AM, August 21, 2019

Copyright 2019 CNN

Authorities release a sketch of a suspect in the fatal stabbing of a retired California State University - Fullerton administrator.

FULLERTON, Calif. - Police on Tuesday released a sketch and video of a suspect who apparently sought out a retired California State University Fullerton administrator and stabbed him to death on campus.

Surveillance video released by police showed the suspect running near the crime scene and leaving a parking lot in a black 4-door sedan with black wheels and dark tinted windows believed to be a newer model BMW X6.

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A backpack holding an incendiary device and items that could be used for an abduction were found beneath the car in which Steven Shek Keung Chan, 57, of Hacienda Heights, was found stabbed to death, authorities said.

The backpack also held a knife not used in the stabbing, along with zip ties, wigs and other disguise materials, police said in a statement Tuesday.

The suspect is believed to have been injured during the attack, with lacerations on one or both hands, according to police.

Investigators appealed to the public for help identifying the suspect.

Chan had retired from the school but worked at the international student affairs office as a consultant, officials said.

His body was found Monday morning with multiple stab wounds inside a silver Infiniti sedan in a campus parking lot, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Investigators now believe the victim was targeted based on their investigation," Fullerton police said in a statement.

Police are looking for the attacker, described as a man in his mid-20s with black hair, wearing a black shirt and black pants. He was last seen fleeing the scene on foot.

The backpack was left by Chan's assailant, said Fullerton police Lt. Jon Radus. The city's police force is leading the investigation. No motive was disclosed.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department bomb squad found the backpack, Radus said. There is no known threat to the community, he said.

Police were on campus attending an active shooter filming, which was later canceled, police said.

President Fram Virjee called the killing a "tragic and senseless attack," in a letter to the school community.

"He was beloved for his commitment to and passion for both Cal State Fullerton and our Titan Family," Virjee said of Chan.

Chan had retired as a budget director in 2017 and returned early in 2019 to work as a consultant, the letter said.

Monday marked the first day of the 2019-2020 academic year at the university. Classes at the Orange County school start Saturday.